Vic rail link wins top ACA construction award

Date: 15.05.2015

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The Victorian Regional Rail Link project, a $3.9 billion project designed to remove major rail bottlenecks in Melbourne, expand the regional network and increase capacity in both regions, has won the Australian Construction Achievement Award for 2015 announced last night at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

An aerial photograph of West Werribee Junction, where new Victorian Regional Rail Link tracks join the existing Geelong line.

The project is expected to be completed in June 2015 when Geelong trains begin using a new track through Wyndham Vale and Tarneit. Ballarat and Bendigo trains now use new dedicated tracks from Sunshine to Southern Cross Station, separating them from metropolitan services.

The Australian Construction Achievement Award, presented by Australian Constructors Association (ACA) and Engineers Australia, is the peak annual award for the major players in Australia’s construction industry. It is now in its 18th year.

ACA president David Saxelby says the winning project showcases what can be achieved when the industry and its client are able to work together cooperatively to plan effectively to achieve a common goal.

"The project came in eight months ahead of schedule and $900 million under budget because the industry was able to work with the client to properly and effectively plan each stage of the project," he says.

Engineers Australia national president Dr David Cruickshanks-Boyd says the finalists highlight the engineering profession’s expertise in the design and implementation of major commercial and infrastructure projects.

"Each year the Judging Panel shortlists only the very best of the projects nominated," he says. "The fact the award process has again attracted such a diverse range of projects exemplifies the skill and expertise within the industry, and the competitive nature of its participants."

The total value of the six finalist projects this year was more than $9 billion. In alphabetical order, the five runners-up were:

Adelaide Oval Redevelopment, South Australia. A $535 million project by Lend Lease that has transformed the existing facility into a 50,000-seat world-class multi-sport and entertainment venue. Many of the Oval’s iconic features have been retained in the development, including the heritage-listed scoreboard, the grassy northern mound seating and the Moreton Bay figs.

Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, WA. This $1.63 billion project by Brookfield Multiplex (BM) is the largest design and construct project by BM and the largest building infrastructure project ever undertaken by the Western Australian government. Delivered ahead of schedule and within budget, the hospital consists of seven buildings and two decked car parks.

Gold Coast Light Rail, Queensland. A $1.2bn project constructed under a Joint venture between McConnell Dowell Constructors and Bombardier Transportation Australia, as part of the GoldLinQ consortium, the GCLR is an ambitious, city-changing infrastructure project aiming to integrate new and existing transport systems, stimulate urban regeneration and facilitate sustainable transit oriented development.

One Central Park, Sydney, New South Wales. A $596 million project constructed by Watpac as part of the $2 billion Central Park precinct consisting of five residential towers on top of five levels of retail space including five basement levels of car park. A total of 1421 luxury apartments,1200 car spaces and 15,000 square metres of retail space. The development’s features include a ‘skygarden’, heliostat and vertical green walls.